Road spreader



March 12, 1935. C G ABERNATHY 1,994,082

ROAD SPREADER A TTORNE YS 'March 12, 1935- c. G, ABERNATHY 1,994,082

ROAD SPREADER Filed Feb. 17, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 2y March 12, 1935. C', ABERNATHY 1,994,082

ROAD SPREADER Filed Feb. 1'7, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 :i 133 HQ. i *l1-3? 66 INVENTR gti @4MM @vrp @Mol y ATTORN S Patented Mar. 12,. 1935 l y UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1,994,082 ROAD SPREADER Clyde G. Abernathy, Homell, N. Y. Application February .11, 1932, serial No. 593,495

2s claims. (o1. 94-44) This invention relates to a road spreader and off member determines the final surface of the more particularly to a machine for laying and road and is so formed that it provides a smooth grading stone and asphalt mixes upon roadways and uniform surface. In its preferred form the in resurfacing the same or in providing an origteeth of this strike-off member are removable 5 inal surface or base for the road. The machine and are also beveled on their underside so that 5 is more particularly intended for use in laying a crowding action takes place, the bevel crowdand grading cold mixes' of stone, asphalt and a ing down upon the material and compressing it solvent for the asphalt but can also be used with S that the surface of the road is smoothed. hot mixes, A further object is to so mount this strike-off l0 In laying and grading surfacing of asphalt and member that it can be easily adjusted vertically 10 stone considerable diillculty has been encounthereby permitting the machine to be used in laytered by reason of the fact that the stone and ing the materials in layers 0f different thickasphalt mix is extremely heavy and difllcult to neSSeS aS different Specioations may demand. handle. Particular difculty has been encoun- In providing this mounting provision is also l tered in attempting to lay and grade such mixes made for transmitting the reciprocating motion l5 mechanically by means of road machinery. It to the strike-off member in all of its elevated is therefore the principal object of this invention positions Which moana are Simple and reliable to provide a machine which lays and grades and arranged in such manner that they will not heavy mixes of asphalt and stone, or the like; become coated with the asphalt. f

which will handle large quantities of such mixes A further Purpose of the present invention is 20 and aoourate1y grade the same to provide the t0 provide a mathine 0f this character which by smooth and uniform surface desired; yand which Very Simple alterations' iS adapted to be used accomplishes this without, requiring any haneither with or without forms, such forms condling of the mix, the mix being dumped directly Sisting in rails arranged along the side of the road into the hopper of the machine from the trucks and 0n Whith the machine travels. When used 25 for transporting the mix to the job. in either manner the machine is readily steered.

Another object is to provide such a machine in i' Another Object is to Provide a machine in which which the hopper is provided with o, toothed rothe .rear wheels act as a roller and run on the tating raker which not only agitates the material Surface 0f the road already laidlThis not only in the hopper so as to break it up and thereby Serves t0 roll the la1d Surface of the roadway 30 provide a uniform dispersion of the materialv and Provide a better Surface but also. When forms over the full width of the hopper but also cuts vare Used, takes a Part of the Weight 0f themabelow the lever of the surface of the road being Chine off of the form. These rear wheels are laid so as to insure the uniform deposit of the also s0 disposed that they are arranged close to material from the hopper onto the road and inthe form boards or rails and thereby roll the 35 i Sui-e an accurate and smooth sui-face In the roadvat a place that could not be rolled by a steam preferred embodiment the teeth of this raker are roller and formerlyr required hand tampingmade .removable and are also arranged spirally The' rear Wheels are also preferably beveled so that when a truckload of material is dumped slightly so as to prevent the steam rollers from into the hopper the blades tend to spread it out breakmg down .the edge 0f the road d ullng the 40 the fun width of the hopper and insure the nnb subsequent rolling of the roadway la1d by the form deposit of it over the fun width of the strip Present mahmfiof road being laid'. Y A further obJect of the present invention is to Another object is' to so design the hopper that ggg? axljchghwlglesagtlegs Sagltlh 45 the weightr of great masses of material in the of confier magtealsg For this purposg he 1 0? hoppr 1S prevented .from beanng dlreuy on this tating raker is lifted and the reciprocating strikerotatmg raker thereby msuring that 1t operates off member is dropped at full efciency and without undue loads or Another object is to provide a machine which Stramsis'entire'ly self-contained and the same prime 50 Another purpose 1S to provlde a Strikemover is used to propel the machine and also to off member Which iS reCilJroCated transversely rotate the raker and reciprocate the strike-off of the machine and is arranged immediately in member. Another object is to render the marear of the rotating raker which projects below` chine easily adjustable throughout and capable the lower open end of the hopper. This strikeof easy operation. Another purpose is to provide 55 a machine which is exceedingly simple'and strong in construction and reliable in its operation and will stand up under conditions of severe and constant use without getting out of order.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a road spreader made in accordance with my invention and showing the same used in connection with forms or rails at the side of the strip of road being laid.

In this figure is also shown, in dotted lines, the bars which are used for supporting the strike-off member when the machine is used without forms or side rails.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the machine shown in Fig. 1 also showing in dotted lines the bars for supporting the strike-off member when forms are not used.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal central section through the road spreader shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a transverse section taken on line 4 4, Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary top plan view of the reciprocating strike-off member and its associated parts, this view being taken on line 5 5, Fig 4, looking downwardly.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one of the removable teeth of thestrike-o member showing the manner in which it is beveled to provide a smoother surface on the road.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on line 77, Fig. 1, and showing in detail the manner in which the rotary raker is elevated or depressed to meet different requirements.

Fig. 8 is a horizontal section taken on line 8 8, Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on line 99, Fig. 2.

Fig. 10 is a horizontal section taken on line lil-10, Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary side elevation similar to Fig. 1 showing a modified form of the invention in which a caterpillar tread is employed instead of the rollers shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 4 and showing a modified form of strike-off bar which is designed to provide a rounding crown on the road bed and is also so designed that this crown can be adjusted to meet different specications.

Fig. 13 is a vertical section taken on line 13--13, Fig. 12,

Fig. 14 is a perspective View of one of the teeth 68 of the rotary raker.

Similar characters of reference indicate like parts in the several figures of the drawings.

In its general organization this invention consists in a frame which is so supported that it can be propelled along the ground on which a strip of rock and asphalt is to be laid and which is provided with a hopper into which the material can be dumped directly froma truck. The bottom of this hopper is open and projecting through this opening is a rotary raker which breaks up the material deposited into the hopper and also cuts down below the level of the road to be laid so that a compact and uniform layer of the material is deposited on the road. Immediately in rear of this rotary raker is a reciprocating strike-off member which grades the surface of the road to the desired thickness and also smooths off and compresses this surface so that the material deposited is in shape for rolling after the machine has laid the strip. The machine is run by a prime mover preferably in the form of a gasolene motor and the various parts are adjustable throughout so that it can be used to lay a. wide variety of road making material and also can be used to pay them in the thickness required in the road speciiications.

As previously stated the machine is adapted to be used either with or without forms. These forms consist of rails 15 arranged at each side of the strip of material to be laid and suitably supported in any suitable manner. These forms are generally made of metal although any material can be used. When used, the height of these forms determine the thickness of the layer of material to be laid and the material is laid flush with the upper edge of the forms.

The frame of the machine is shown as made up of channel beams, two beams 16 being arranged at either side of the machine and these beams being connected by cross beams 17 arranged at suitable intervals as determined by the arrangement of the other parts of the machine as hereinafter described. The rear end of the frame is in part supported by a pair of wheels 18 which, when the 'forms 15 are used, ride upon these forms. These wheels are therefore each arranged adjacent the rear end of the side beams 16 and are each carried by a bracket 19 which is secured to the rear end of the frame and is formed to provide rearwardly opening upper and lower jaws. As best shown in Fig. 9 each of the wheels 18 is embraced by a yoke 20, the axle 21 for the wheel extending through the lower ends of the two arms of this yoke. The upper end of this yoke 20 is squared, as indicated at 22 and is mounted in a square hole in the lower jaw of the yoke 19. In the squared portion 22 of the yoke is screwed a post 23 and this post is held against turning therein by a cross pin 24. This post extends through the upper jaw of the yoke 19 and at its upper end carries a hand wheel 25, the purpose of which is to adjust the spring pressure between the wheel 18 and the frame.

This spring pressure is provided by a spring 26 which is arranged between the two jaws of the yoke 19 and surrounds the corresponding part of the post 23. At its lower end this spring bears against the squared portion 22 of the yoke which is connected with the wheel 18 and the upper end of this spring bears against a plate 27 which is in turn forced against the lower end of an externally threaded sleeve 28. This sleeve Works in a nut 29 which is carried by the upper jaw of the bracket 19 and secured in place by screws 30. The upper end of the threaded sleeve 28 is iixed to the hand wheel, and a collar 31 is provided to limit the upward movement of the threaded sleeve 28 relative to the post 23. The downward movement of the parts is limited by a sleeve 32 which surrounds the post 23 and is interposed between the squared part 22 of the bracket 20 and the plate 27.

It is apparent that upon screwing down the hand wheel 25, the threaded sleeve 28 is turned so as to force the spring 26 down and exert more pressure upon the bracket 20 and the wheel 18. The screwing down of the hand wheel 25 thereby serves to elevate the rear end of the frame and at the same time a spring suspension is provided for the rear. end of the frame.

'I'he front end of the frame is supported by two front wheels 35 which are arranged at the front ends of the side beams 16 and preferably track inside of the forms 15. These wheels are arranged so that through them the machine is steered and consequently each is preferably supported as follows:

Each wheel 35 is provided with an axle 36 which connects with the depending arms of a yoke 37. This yoke is formed to provide an upright post or king pin 38 which is journaled' in a bracket 39 in any suitable manner. 'I'his bracket 39 is connected with the front end of the corresponding side beams 16.v To the yoke 37 is also secured a sector 40 which extends outwardly and meshes with a worm 41. Each of these worms 4l is fixed to a longitudinal shaft 42 which is suitably journaled on the main frame and carries a beveled pinion 43 at its rear end. These pinions 43 mesh -with corresponding pinions 44 on a cross shaft 45, this cross'shaft 45 being also journaled in brackets provided on the main frame and one of the pinions 44 also meshes with a pinion 46 at the lower end of an inclined steering post 47. This steering post can be journaled in any suitable manner and at its upper rear end carries a steering wheel 48 by means of which the steering post is turned to deflect the wheels 35 accordingly.

It is apparent that upon turning the steering wheel 48 the cross shaft 45 is turned and also each of the worm shafts 42 is turned to move the segments 40. This movement turns the wheels about the king pins 38 as an axis and consequently steers the machine. f I

In the center of the machine a hopper, indicated generally at 50, is arranged. This hopper is preferably made of s heet metal and consists of side plates 51', a lower plate 52 and a rear plate which is made of three plates 53, 54 and 55 disposed at an angle to one another. The bottom pate 52 is preferably arranged at a comparatively ilat angle relative to the road, its lower end terminating adjacent the surface of the road to be laid and its .upper end being sufficiently low so that trucks canconveniently drop'the material to be laid directly into the hopper. Immediately in rear of this lower plate 52 the. hopper is provided with a lower 'opening 56 and this opening is overhung by the plate 54 and the lower end of the plate 53 in such manner that the weight of the material in the hopper is in part borne by the rear wall of the hopper and the material is prevented from compacting in the form of a solid mass in the lower open part of the hopper.

The machineis propelled and its parts moved by a prime mover which is shown as consisting of a gasolene motor indicated generally at 60.

The shaft 61 of this motor is arranged trans.

versely of the machine andris connected by a change speed gear 62 with a shaft 63, this shaft 63 being suitably journaled in a bracket on one of the side beams -16. This shaft carries a sprocket 64 which is connected by a chain 65 with a sprocket 66. This sprocket is xed to the corresponding end of a squared shaft 67 the opposite ends of which are journaled in vertically y adjustable bearings, as hereinafter described. This shaft extends the complete width of the hopper and is disposed immediately above the opening 56 in its bottom. This squared shaft carries a plurality of teeth 68 each of which is provided with a pair of arms 69, these arms embracing the squared shaft 67 and beingI held in tight engagement therewith by a bolt 70 which connects the arms 69 at the side of the shaft 67 opposite from the tooth 68. Each of .these teeth is generally of scimitar form and the shaft is rotated in such manner that the indented side of each tooth digs downwardly into the material being laid and forces it rearwardly. These teeth are suiiiciently long so that they project below the opening 56 in the hopper and below the level to which the road material is being laid so that these teeth ycut into the road itself and insure a uniform distribution of the stone or other aggregate as well as serving to compact the road material as it is laid. The teeth 68 are preferably spirally disposed along and aroundthe shaft 87 so that as a load of material is-dropped into the hopper 50 the teeth of the rotary raker tend to spread it out uniformlyalong the full width of the hopper. It is also/apparent that the overhanging form of the rear wall of the hopper tends to relieve this rotary raker of the full pressure of the load of material in the hopper and thereby permits it to be operated with less power and with greater effectiveness.

The motor shaft 61 also connects with another change speed gear which drives a longitudinal shaft 76. On this shaft is fixed a sprocket 77 which is connected by a chain 78 with a sprocket 79 on a lower longitudinal shaft 180. This shaft 80 is suitably journaled'in brackets on the main frame and at its frontend carries a disk 81 provided with a crank pin 82. This crank pin 82 connects to a transverse connecting rod 83, the other end of which is connected to a pin 84 pro'- jecting rearwardly from a reciprocating angle bar 85. This bar 85 is mounted for reciprocatory movement transversely ofthe machine, as hereinafter described and to its lower side'are secured a plurality of plates 86 which are formed to pro'- vide forwardly extending teeth. These teeth are removably secured in any suitably manner as by a pair of small screws 87 andas best shown in Fig. 6 each of these plates is pointed-at its front end. 'I'he underside of thefrontpointed end bf'- each of these teeth 86 is also beveled as indicated at 88.'

These teeth arey disposed immediately below the rear end of the opening 56 in the hopper 50 and immediately in rear of the toothed rotary raker. 'I'he teeth therefore act as a strike-off member in leveling and surfacing the material being laid, the rotary raker forcing the material against the underside of these teeth and the beveled form of the teeth serving to force the material so fed to them downwardly. It is apparent that the strikeoif member which is formed by the angle bar 85' and its `teeth 86 is reciprocated through its connection by the link 85 with the crank pin 82 with the motor and the weight of the'strike-off member upon its support and the weight of the material on the strike-off member is relieved by the rotary raker which lifts the vmaterial away from this strike-olf member as .it rotates. It is also apparent that the provision of bevels 88 on the teeth 86 also tends to lift the strike-olf member and relieve its weight upon its supports.

Both the strike-off member and the rotary raker are made vertically adjustable so as to suit the particular material being laid and also to determine the thickness of the layer being laid. Thus when the material is coarse the rotary raker is `a very thin layer of material is being laid it is apparent that the digging effect of the rotary raker must be very slight since otherwise it would dig into the base as well as into the layer of material being deposited.

For the purpose of rendering the rotary raker shaft 67 vertically adjustable it is journaled at each end in a slide which is arranged in slideways provided by guides 91, these guides being suitably secured to the side plates 51 of the hopper. The upper end of the slide 90 is formed to provide an outwardly projecting flange 92 and to each of these flanges 92 is secured a post 93. This post 93 is rigidly connected to the flange 92 by a nut 94 which screws upon the reduced threaded end of the post 93, this reduced threaded end extending through the :iange 92. 'I'he upper end of this post 93 is threaded and on the upper threaded end of this post 93 is mounted a hand wheel 95, the hub of which is internally threaded tc screw upon the threads of the post 93. This hand wheel is held against vertical movement and for this purpose the upper end of the post 93 extends through a bracket 96 the upper end of which is provided with a recess 97 which receives the lower part of the hub of the hand wheel 95. The hub of the hand wheel is also provided with a groove 98 and in this groove are arranged a pair of plates 99 which are secured to the bracket 96 by screws or in any other suitable manner. It is apparent that the plates 99 prevent the `hand wheel 95 from moving vertically and consequently upon turning the hand wheels 95 at each side of the machine, the corresponding posts 93 are ele--1 vated t0 lift the slides 92 and raise the rotary raker shaft 67 which is carried thereby.

To provide for the vertical adjustment of the strike-off member the opposite ends of the angle bars 85 are each provided with an arm 100 which extends outwardly from the corresponding end of the angle bar 85 and is connected in any suitable manner to the lower end of a chain 101. The upper end of each of these chains is carried by a rock arm 102 both of these rock arms 102 being mounted on a cross shaft 103 which extends the full width of the machine and is suitably journaled in brackets fromthe rear plate 53 of the hopper. This rock shaft 103 kis turned by means of a lever 104. This lever traverses a stationary segment 105 having teeth 106 andthe lever is provided with a reieasable catch 107 by means of which any of the teeth 106 in the segment 105 can be engaged and the lever 104 held i3 a corresponding position. It is apparent that when the lever 104 is held by the lower teeth of the segment 105, the angle bar 85 of the strikeofl member will be held in an elevated position and that when the lever 104 is held in an elevated position the strike-off member will be permitted to fall to a depressed position.

The strike-oif member formed by the angle bar 85 and its teeth 86 is preferably provided with bearing plates 108 which permit the strike-olf member to rest` and slide freely upon the upper sides of the forms 15 when the forms are used. The strike-off member is also supported against rearward movement by rollers 110. Two of such rollers 110 are provided and each is carried at the lower end of a bracket 111 which depends from the main frame and each roller engages a bearing plate 112 which is secured to the rear ends of the corresponding teeth 86. It is therefore apparent that these rollers 110 take the rear thrust of the strike-oil' member and hold it in position.

The machine is also propelled by the gasolene motor 60. For this purpose the shaft 61 of the motor is provided with a sprocket 115 which is connected by a chain 116 with a Sprocket 117, this sprocket 117 being fixed to a main cross shaft 118. This main cross shaft is journaled in bearings 119 on the main frame and immediately inside of the longitudinal beams 16 of the main frame carries a pair of driving rollers 120. These rollers therefore rest upon the surface of the strip of material laid by the machine and therefore serve not only to propel the machine but also serve to compress the strip of material laid immediately inside of the forms 15. These wheels therefore roll the roadway at a place that it is impossible to reach with the usual steam rollers since the use of steam rollers would break down the shoulders or corners at the sides of the strip.

When the machine is being used with,the forms 15 the bearing plates 108 of the strike-off member can rest directly upon the forms 15. When, however, the machine is being used without the forms 15 it is necessary to provide a support for the strike-off member which at the same time permits it to be adjusted vertically as previously described. When the machine is to be used without forms a paix. of bars 125 are arranged at opposite sides of the machine and the front end of each is pivotally connected to the frame of the machine. Each of these bars is bent so that its rear end is arranged under the arms 100 and the rear ends of these bars are connected together by a cross rod126. On this cross rod 126 is mounted a pair of rollers .127 which are adapted to rest upon the surface of the strip laid by the machine. It is apparent that when the machine is being used without forms that the reciprocating strike-off member is supported directly by the bars 125 and since these bars are supported at one end on the frame and at their other ends by the rollers 127 the strikeeoff member is supported in the same manner as if the forms 15 were used and the strike-off member supported thereby. It .is also apparent that since the front ends of the bars 125 are supported at the front end of the machine, any elevation or depression of the front end of the machine in passing over a rough base will not materially affect the elevation of the strikeoif member since the rollers 127 are arranged immediately in rear of the strike-ofl member.

In Fig. 11 is illustrated a modification of the present invention. Instead of providing the rollers 120 for driving the machine and also rolling the shoulders on the strip laid a caterpillar drive is provided. A. caterpillar tread is provided at each side of the machine and is supported on the main shaft 118 of the machine. For this purpose the caterpillar drive includes a pair of side plates 130 which are carried by the main shaft 118 and at their ends carry sprockets 131 and 132 on which the caterpillar tread 133 rides. This caterpillar tread 133 also rides upon a sprocket (not shown) which is loosely mounted on the main shaft 118. The sprocket 132 is mounted upon a shaft 134 which also carries a sprocket 135. This sprocket is connected by a chain 136 with a sprocket 137 this last sprocket 137 being fast to the drive shaft. rI'he shaft 134 is preferably adjustable along the plates 130 so that any slack in the caterpillar tread onthe drive chain 136 can be taken up. 'Ihemain shaft is driven in the same manner as in the preferred construction and it is therefore apparent that the turning of the main shaft drives the caterpillar tread through the train comprising the sprocket 137, chain 136, sprocket 135, shaft 134, sprocket 132 and caterpillar tread 133.

, Where specifications require a transversely crowned or rounded road bed a special form of strike-off bar'or member is provided which is def signed to providethis crown. This strike-off bar is also adjustable' so that crowns' of different types or degrees of kcurvature can be provided. This of Sthe machine. It isthereforeapparent that upon adjustingthe different bolts 140 the flexible strip,142,canfbeadjusted to have any desired flexible strip143v which carries a plurality ofupcurvature.'4 Below the flexible strip 142 is another right brackets 144. vThese brackets are U-shaped and embrace'the front and rear sides ofthe ilexible strip 142jand each'bracket 144 carries two pairs of rollers 146. 'Ifhese rollers ride on the upper and lower faces of the flexible strip142, as best shown in Fig. 13. It will be understood that thev space between vthe bolts 141 is sufficient to allowthe requisite amount of travel for the brackets 144 and their rollers. f e

The strike-off teeth 86 are-secured to the underside of the flexible strip 143, these strike-oil' teeth being of the same form as the strike-off teeth 86 in the preferred construction.` VThe ilexible strip 1,43 is reciprocated in any suitable manner as by the crank construction shown in Fig. 4, and it is therefore apparent that the reciprocation of this flexible strip 143 and its teeth 86 cause them to follow the curvature imposed upon the flexible strip 142 and therefore a corresponding crownis provided onthe roadway being surfaced. From the foregoing it isv apparent that the present invention provides a very simple, efcient and relatively inexpensive machine f orsurfacing roads whichv will handle large quantities of material and will standup under conditionsof severe and constantservice without getting out'cf order or requiringvrepairs. The machine is also lso designed that it-operates with a minimum of power and willv also insure a uniform texture to the material beinglaidand also insure that it is laid to a uniform depth. Themachine also provides a smooth and' compact surface on the road and leaves it ina condition for rolling.Y The machine is also adjustable throughout so that it is adapted for laying a wide variety of road materials and it is also adjustable tolay any desired thickness of road materials. The machine is also adapted for-use without forms' and is so designed that it can be easily transported to and from the place of operations with little diiliculty.

I claim as my invention:

:1. In aroad spreader of the character described,

a aqcarriage, a hopper-mounted on said carriage and-having an elongated, opening'in its bottom, said vopening being arranged transverse of the line of rmovement of said carriage, a strike-off member, arranged in rearv and parallel with said opening, said strike-off member beingnprovided with horizontal teeth which projectforwardly under said opening adapted to smooth out thev material being discharged through said opening and means for reciprocating said strike-off lmember length-y wise of said" opening.

2. In aroad spreader lof the character described, a carriage, a hopper mounted on said carriage and having an openinginits bottom, vastrike-off mem- `ber arranged adjacentand in rear of said opening and arranged to smooth out the material discharged therethrough, horizontal teeth provided vat'tlle advancel edge'- of saidstrike-off member and projectingl forwardly under said opening to smooth out the material being discharged through said opening, said fteeth being provided with an undercut bevel to compact the material therelunderand means vfor reciprocating said strike- -off'member transversely ofthe line of movement 'of-,said carriage. 3'..In.'avroad spreader ofthe character described, la: carriage, a hoppervmounted on vsaid jcarriage 'and having an opening in the bottom, a bar arrangedv transversely of the lineof movementf ofl said carriage, a plurality of forwardly projecting teeth mounted on said bar, said teeth beingA arranged under said openingto smooth out the material being discharged therethrough and means for reciprocating said bar longitudinally.

4. In a road spreader Y' of the charactendey scribed, a carriage, a hopper mounted on said carriage and having an opening in its bottom, a strike-olf member arranged to project under said opening t'o smooth out vthe material being. discharged therethrough, meansv for reciprocating said strike-olf member transversely o f the line of movement of said carriage andI means for adjustably varying the elevation of` said strike-off member.

f 5. In a road spreader of the character described, a carriage, a hopper mounted on said carriage and having an opening in its bottom, a `pair of flexible members depending from the opposite sides of said carriage immediately ad.- jacent said opening, a strike-olf member supported at its opposite ends by said flexible meinbers, saldstrike-oi member being arranged under said carriage and immediately adjacent said opening to smooth out the material being discharged therethrough, means for reciprocating said strike-offmember transversely of theline of movement of said carriage and means for adjusting the effective length of said flexible members to adjustably regulate theA elevation of said strike-off member.

6. In a road spreader of the character described, a carriage, a, hopper mounted on said carriage and having an opening in its bottom, a strike-off member projecting under said opening to smooth' out the material discharged therethrough, means carried by said carriage for ad.- justably regulating the elevation `of said strikeoff member relative to said carriage and means for reciprocating said strike-off member transversely of the line of movement of said carriage at all elevations comprising a crank j ournalled in said carriage, a link connecting said crank and strike-off `member and means carried by said carriage for turning said crank.

"1.In a road spreader of the character described, a carriage, a hopper mounted on said carriage and having an opening in its bottom,`

a strike-off member arranged under said opening to smooth the material discharged therefrom, means for moving said strike-olf member andA means for supporting the load of material in said hopper so that the full weight thereof is not borne ing to smooth the material discharged therefrom, means for moving said strike-off member and means for supporting the load of material in said hopper so that the full Weight thereof is not borne by said strike-oir member comprising a projection provided in one wall of said hopper and overhanging said strike-off member.

9. In la road spreader of the character described, a carriage, a hopper mounted on said carriage and having an opening in its bottom, a rotary raiser arranged in said hopper and having its axis arranged transverse of the line of movement of said carriage, said rotary raker being provided with teeth and said teeth projecting through said opening and below the level of the surface being laid and means for turning said raker.

10. In a road spreader of the characterdescribed, a carriage, a hopper mounted on said carriage and having an opening in its bottom, a rotary raker arranged in said hopper adjacent said opening and having its axis arranged transverse of the line of movement of said carriage, means for turning said rotary raker to control the discharge of the material through said opening and means for adjustably varying the elevation of said raker.

11. In a road spreader of the character described, a carriage, a hopper mounted on said carriage and having an opening in its bottom, a rotary raker arranged in said hopper adjacent said opening and having its axis arranged transverse of the line of movement of said carriage, means for turning said rotary raker to control the discharge of the material through said opening and means for adjustably varying the elevation of said raker comprising a vertically movable plate arranged at each side of said hopper, means for guiding said plate, a bearing provided in each plate and journalling the corresponding end of said raker and screw means interposed between each bearing plate and said carriage for raising and lowering said plate.

12. In a road spreader of the character described, a carriage, a hopper mounted on said carriage and having an elongated discharge opening arranged transverse of the line .of movement of said carriage, a. strike-off member arranged in rear and parallel with said opening and arranged to smooth off the material discharged through said opening, a rotary raker arranged in said hopper `adjacent said opening, said rotary raker having its axis arranged parallel with said opening and having teeth adapted to project down through said opening and below said strikeoi member and means for turning said raker in the direction in which it crowds the material discharged through said opening rearwardly and upwardly under said strike-off member.

13. In a road spreader of the character described, a carriage, a hopper mounted on said carriage and having a discharge opening in its bottom, a rotary raker mounted in said hopper adjacent said opening and controlling the discharge of material therethrough, means for rotating said raker and means for preventing the full weight of the material in said hopper from bearing on said raker, comprising a baffle in said hopper above said raker.

14. In a road spreader of the character described, a carriage, a hopper mounted on said carriage and having a discharge opening in its bottom, a strike-off member arranged adjacent said opening and arranged to smooth out the material discharged through said opening and to determine the thickness of the layer of roadway being laid, an auxiliary frame supporting said strike-off member, means pivoting said auxiliary frame to said carriage at the front ends thereof and a traction member supporting the rear end of said auxiliary frame and riding on the surface of the roadway already laid immediately in rear of said strike-off member.

15. In a road spreader of the character described, a frame, front traction members supporting said frame, a hopper arranged in the center of said frame and having an opening in its bottom, means for discharging and distributing the material from said hopper opening to lay a uniform layer of material on the roadway, a pair of traction members at the rear of said frame and resting on and compressing the roadway already laid and means for applying power to said rear traction members to propel said frame.

16. In a road spreader of the character described, a frame having a pair of front traction members and a pair of rear traction members, a hopper arranged in the center of said frame and having an opening in its bottom, means for discharging and distributing the material through said hopper opening to lay a uniform layer of material on the roadway, a pair of traction members connected to said frame in rear of said hopper and resting on and compressing the freshly laid roadway and means for applying power to one of said traction members to propel said frame.

17. In a road spreader of the character described, a frame, means for supporting the front and rear ends of said frame for movement along the surface to be paved, a hopper arranged in the center of said frame and having an opening in its bottom, means for discharging and distributing the material through said hopper opening to lay a uniform layer of material on the roadway, a pair of traction members connected to said frame in rear of said hopper and resting on and compressing the roadway already laid, means for applying power to said traction members to propel said frame and means for adjustably varying the elevation of said frame relative to its rear supporting means thereby to vary the pressure of said traction members on said roadway.

18.,In a road spreader of the character described, a frame, means for supporting the front and rear ends of said frame for movement along the surface to be paved, a hopper arranged in the center of said frame and having an opening in its bottom, means for discharging and distributing the material through said hopper opening to lay a uniform layer of material on the roadway, a pair of traction members connected to said frame in rear of said hopper and resting on and compressing the roadway already laid, means for applying power to said traction members to propel said frame and means for adjustably varying the elevation of said frame relative to its rear supporting means thereby to vary the pressure of said traction members on said roadway, said last named means including a spring support for said frame upon its said rear supporting means.

19. In a road spreader of the character described, a carriage, a hopper mounted on said carriage and having a discharge opening in its bottom, a strike-off member arranged adjacent said opening and arranged to smooth out the material discharged through said opening and to determine the thickness of the layer of roadway being laid, an auxiliary frame supporting said terial discharged through said opening and to strike-off member, means pivoting said auxiliary frame to said carriage at the front ends thereof, a member supporting the rear end of said auxiliary frame and riding on the surface of the roadway already laid immediately in rear of said strike-off member, and means for adjusting the elevation of the front end of said auxiliary frame to vary the thickness to which the material is spread upon the roadway.

20. In a road spreader, a carriage, a transverse, flexible strip carried by said carriage, and forming a transverse track, means for varying the longitudinal curvature of said strip in accordance with the crown desired in the roadway, a strike-off member mounted for movement along said ilexible strip and :following its curvature and means for reciprocating said strike-off member along said flexible strip.

21. In a road spreader, a oarriage-having a transverse bar, aflexible track strip arranged under said bar and parallel therewith, means connecting said bar and track strip at spaced .intervals and permitting of providing any desired curvature, in a vertical direction, in said track strip, but preventing lengthwise relative movement between said strips, a flexible strike-off strip arranged below said track strip, anti-friction means connecting said track and strike-off strips at spaced intervals and permitting longitudinal reciprocating movement of said strike-olf strip but compelling it to follow the curvature of said track strip, and means for reciprocating said strike-off strip.

22. I n a road spreader of the character described, a carriage, a hopper mounted on said carriage and having an elongated discharge opening arranged transverse of the line of movement of said carriage, a strike-off member arranged in rear and parallel with said opening and arranged to smooth off the material being discharged through said opening, a rotary raker arranged in said hopper adjacent said opening, said rotary raker having its axis arranged parallel with said opening and having teeth and means for turning said raker in the direction in which it crowds the material discharged through said opening under said strike-off member.

23. In a road spreader of the character described, a carriage, a hopper mounted on said carriage and having a discharge opening in its bottom, a strike-off member arranged adjacent said opening and arranged to smooth out the madetermine the thickness of the layer of roadway being laid, an auxiliary frame supporting said strike-off member, means connecting said auxiliary frame to said carriage and permitting 1ndependent vertical movement of said auxiliary frame relative to said carriage, and means for supporting said auxiliary frame on the surface of the roadway already laid immediately in rear of said strike-off member.

24. In a road spreader of the character described, a carriage, a hopper mounted on said carriage and having a discharge opening in its bottom, a strike-off member arranged adjacent said opening and arranged to smooth off the material discharged through said opening and to determine the thickness of the layer of roadway being laid, an arm carried by said carriage and supporting said strike-off member, means associated with said arm to permit the strike-off member to move vertically independently of said carriage and means for gaging the height of said strike-off member from the surface of the roadway already laid.

25. In a road spreader of the character described, a frame, traction members supporting the front end of said frame, a traction member supporting the rear end of said frame, a hopper arranged in the center of said frame and having an opening in its bottom, means for discharging and depositing a layer of paving material from said' hopper opening to lay a uniform layer of material on the roadway and a strike-off member carried by said frame immediately in advance of said rear traction member for smoothing the said layer to obtain a smooth highway, said front traction members being arranged to travel on the relatively rough surface to be paved and said rear roller running on the paved surface.

26. In a road spreaderof the character described, a frame, steering traction members supporting the front end of said frame, a traction member supporting the rear end of said frame, hopper means carried by said frame intermediate said front and rear traction members and arranged to deposit paving material on the roadway, a strike-off member forming a lower margin of said hopper, and means for oscillating said strike-ofi member transversely of said roadway so as to assist the spreading of the paving material.

CLYDE G. ABERNA'I'HY. 

